I wanted to share with everyone some ways to find cheap or possibly free glass to help save you money. One way is to ask local glass manufacturers, window installers or even other glass artists for their scraps. This is what I did this weekend, and they didn’t mind giving me a bunch of free glass. I asked them for scraps or even the old glass that they remove from buildings when replacing, but they actually gave me quality glass. As shown in the photo, they gave me 6 circular and 2 square glass pieces which are 1/4 of an inch thick. In addition to that, they gave me a 3X4 foot glass panel.
Sometimes they have left overs from jobs and will never use it again. So the glass is worthless to them.
Tips to Build A Relationship
I think its best to try and build a relationship with the glass company. Offer them some type of exchange such as an etched glass or an extra hand removing old glass. Most of them will appreciate the offer but reject the service. This will show that you are courtesy and is a good way to build a relationship.
Searching Glass Shops
This might help you quickly find the glass shops. You could use the Yellow Pages to find local glass shops and call. But I like to email them first and do a follow up call. So I searched in google for keywords like “glass shop”, “window installers”, or “glass manufacturers”. Then type your local city or town name in front of them for nearby locations. Open each one of those websites up in new tabs and quickly go through to email them. You can email about a dozen of them in a half hour. I copy and pasted the email message, so it went a lot quicker.
Email Message Example
This is the email message that I sent which can give you an example.
Hi David, I was wondering if you guys would be willing to sell or give away any old glass that you might throw in the trash.
I etch glass as a hobby. Would this be possible? If you need assistance removing the glass, I would be happy to help. I use to work in the construction field.
Thanks
-Eric
https://www.glassetchingsecrets.com
https://www.glassetchingsecrets.com/blog
I hope this helps give you some ideas for getting cheap glass and saves you money. If you are sand carving, make sure you ask for glass that is not tempered. All the glass I got in the picture is tempered which was a bummer. Feel free to read about if tempered glass can be etched or carved.
If this post is helpful, please leave me a comment below. If you have additional suggestions at getting free or cheap glass, let me know.
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Hello, Thanks for the tip, cause I do have a window company in my hometown. I will be sure to go buy and see if they have any scraps that they want to giveaway.
Thanks
Kay
That is a great idea! Thanks for the tip. There are several in my area and it may even be a good idea for my basketball and track team to offer to help clean up in exchange. We are always looking for activities for the kids to give back to communities and businesses.
I happen to work for a glass company. We happen to throw away quite a bit of glass away on a daily basis, and that’s just out of our small shop. Many times, when cutting glass from 4’x8′ sheets, there are cutoffs that are around 10+ inches wide. Nine times out of ten, those are pretty useless for anything and just sit in a corner and end up broken. A good portion of it is only single strength (1/16″ inch) though. Not much good for etching.
As far as salvage glass (used pieces removed from a job), if it’s small, we toss it the second we get back to the shop. If it’s a good, decent sized piece, we’ll keep it and sell it at half price. So, ask for salvage if you don’t mind a few scratches.
The key to getting anything is of course actually talking to the company and be polite. I’m always happy to give away a piece of plate to someone who asks nicely.
Thanks for the tip. I will check this out in my area. Would be nice to get some “cheap” glass for a change.
Thank you. I actually have some old window panels that I use, and mirrors from renovation work! You can usually get them cut to what ever size you want. I also get a lot of glasses, vases and candle holders from garage sales. Love etching on older colored glass!
Hi Eric,
Thanks for the tip. But I’m way ahead of you. I’ve gone to several shops in my community & the folks are very friendly & glad to help someone pursuing a new hobby/career. They are even generous with advice & techniques on shaping without leaving chips, how to drill holes without breakout & etc. I asked if I could raid their dumpster even & the answer was: only if no one is here. 🙂 No worries, they are not going to get sued if I cut myself:) (I have plenty of bandaids, not needed any so far – I’m very careful – leather gloves & all.) So I check them out after 5 & on weekends. Boy have I found some wonderful glass & mirrors. Many are broken but that just gives me more cutting practice to get rid of bad edges. Some are scrached which streaches my imagination to use the scratch as a river or edge of a building, mountain, etc. I’m hoping to soon be able to post some of my work for you all to critique for me. Thanks again
The easy way we always pass by, thanks for bring our minds back to the out of the box thinker.
Chuck
Thanks for the tip. Was helpful sir
thank you very much for ur time giving me the tip on free glass thank you again.
Eric that is a great idea plus I can see how it can possibly open a door to acquire some new business. Thank you so much for the tip.
An idea to help open that door even more is to etch the glass companys logo for them to display. They are glad to have it and can throw business your way.
Great idea! It could even open the door for some type of partnership.
yes its brillant i dear the glass etching for them logo have you ever considered also staining the etching of the logo so it stands out.
Think glass company would be very pleased somthing like that and thanks for the tip.
Hugs Sherry
Brilliant idea – I shall be going glass scrap hunting this weekend!
I also work at glass company (we supply to all of western NY and throw away literally tons each week) –If anyone lives in the Buffalo, Niagara Falls area(NY),, I can get you all kinds of glass for free,,,if your willing to come and pick it up… to all others–I could ship via ups if you pay shipping costs.
e-mail me at wilber48@msn.com if interested.
thanks a bunch never thought of that sure this tip will help me in the future
Morning Eric,
Great video! You only touched on the possibities!
I started in the 70’s after watching two fellows at a Trucking event in NJ. They were placing 2″ masking tape on truck window followed by carbon paper then the design transfer it to the masking tape and hand cutting with an exacto knife. The process intrigued me to try it. Quickly improved on the process and started traveling weekends with another banner etching van windows on the east coast. Oh the stories! Aprox. 14 weekends for about 15 years.
If it is Glass it is a potential project, but now got into etch etching designs onto these stainless steel insulated tumblers, beer growlers, wine glasses. I etched dozens of wine glasses for family & friends for the holidays.
Once did a ceramic coffee mug as a gift to the wife of the president of WVU. Friends had ask me to etch a heart with the WV logo inside as a gift for her for helping start a WV Parents Club in Delaware. One free mug turned into 35 cases to be sold by the local club as a fund raiser! Saw one of my mugs in an office in Allentown, Pa 👍
Two itemsI hate to etch is a martini glass or hurricane globes! Trying to figure how to etch the name or design so that it is straight on the glass! ????????
Have gone from hand drawn and cut to computerized years ago. Now I can cut multiple stencils that are exact copies and cut on my Graftec plotter. Upgraded a few years ago from a 15″ Roland to a 24″ Graftec vinyl cutter. And 12 years ago retired from my state job and started another business that weekend! Played Cornhole at a backyard BBQ and desired to build one for ourselves using my computer to design the Phila Phillies and WVU logos to be applied on the boards. Now I build custom Cornhole Boards year round. Pays for man’s toys or vacations. 🍻
Well got to get onto two orders – Phila Eagles. I also do Dallas Cowboys Boards, but I charge extra! LOL